There are strong indications that about seven persons kidnapped by Boko Haram jihadists on Tuesday have been freed after a rescue-mission embarked upon by a joint force of soldiers and local security personnel.

Earlier today, it was learnt that gunmen believed to be Boko Haram Islamists kidnapped 10 members of an oil exploration team in northeast Nigeria.

“About 10 staff from the survey and geological department of the University of Maiduguri were abducted on Tuesday,” Vanguard Newspaper quoted Ndu Ughamadu of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as saying.

Ughamadu said the NNPC had contracted the team to carry out research work on oil exploration activities taking place in the Lake Chad basin.

“They were kidnapped around Jibi village in Borno state after a gun duel between the security agents accompanying them and suspected Boko Haram fighters,” he told AFP.

However, Premium Times is reporting that at least seven of the abducted persons including members of the NNPC exploration crew were freed after a rescue-mission embarked upon by a joint force of soldiers and local security personnel.

It quoted the council chairman of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State, Zanna Modu, as telling pressmen that the rescue was effected today after a heated gun battle between soldiers and members of the terror group.

Mr. Modu said of the abducted persons, the troops were able to rescue four Civilian-JTF members, two NNPC personnel and a staff of the University of Maiduguri.

I am but your herald boy in the art of the pen.. An eccentric Environmental Biologist smouldered in the glorious epiphany of online journalism.
If you ever find my article unduly insipid, sue me and i’ll refund you...